Here We Go!! 2002 New Year for Two Unfortunate Stars

Kim Byung-Hyun = The fans still cannot forget the moment, when Kim Byung-Hyun (22, Arizona Diamondbacks) squatted on the mound after he allowed a game-tying two run homer to Scott Brocius in a two-out bottom of ninth on Nov. 2nd. Just like a trick of fortune, he allowed a game-tying two-run homer in the bottom of ninth for two days in a row. Kim Byung-Hyun grabbed his head as if he burst out crying at once. The foreign newspapers described Kim as `the most solitary man` in the world at the moment.

However, the fate made Kim `the happiest man in the world`, granting the Arizona with the come-from-behind champion. Kim is a first Asian baseball player who earned a champion ring of the World Series. Who else can be other than Kim, who tasted the dramatic honor and disgrace simultaneously? For Kim, therefore, the ending of 2002 means both regret and relieve.

"So many things happened to me. There were both pleasant things and sad things. And I remember the upsetting moments and the joyful moments. This year had a great impact on my baseball career. I realized that I could win the game alone. Having in mind the year of 2001, I will try to do my best to satisfy the fans` expectation next season."

Since Kim Byung-Hyun became the most attention-grabbing player during the World Series, the fans and the media will not lose sight on his every pitch next season without doubt. He probably felt too much burden on the concerns since the World Series, but he should shake off the burdens by himself. Now, the fans want to see Kim rise as an authentic star striking out the ML hitters, unlike other unfortunate ML pitchers who disappeared behind the stage after allowing the shocking homers.

Kim Mi-Hyun = Kim Mi-Hyun (24, KTF) has attracted great popularity with her cute smile. However, she could not hide her tears at the moment. She burst out crying after losing to Rosie Jones (USA) at the playoffs of the Kathy Ireland Championship last July. She could not resist to the surging sorrow as she was defeated again in the playoffs following the playoffs with Annika Sorenstam at Office Depot Championships in April.

"I think I could not overcome the crisis because of burden and impatience about the victory."

However, the misfortune of Kim Mi-Hyun continued. Kim failed again to grab a champion trophy allowing Pak Se-Ri to take a lead in the final round of the British Women`s Open in August. Three-time second place Kim Mi-Hyun had to end this season with no trophy for the first time since she made a WPGA debut three years ago. Moreover, as she failed to win even a domestic tournament, she had to spend a no-crown year for the first time since her professional debut in 1996. She had to struggle with not only frequent nose bleeding, but also minor ailments.

"Only the winner can be remembered in the sports world."

Although 13-time top-10 steadfast player Kim ranked the 8th place in the prize standing, she cannot but feel something missing because she did not win a champion trophy. Saying that she wanted to bury the painful memory as this year was coming to an end, Kim left toward the U.S. on 28th, pledging herself to stand up again. Since the next season will begin at the end of February, she has a enough time for winter training. She plans to focus on the short game and putting, and she is also thinking of learning the mind control for the composed play at the critical moment.

"I spent the unsatisfied year, but I gained the confidence that I adjusted myself to the WPGA tour. I will start again to shake off all the burdens and regrets." Her painful wound looked disappearing at her bright voice.

Sang-Soo Kim ssoo@donga.com · Jong-Seok Kim kjs0123@donga.com